Upset: Latimer Denies Astorino Third Term As Westchester County Executive

State Sen. George Latimer thanked campaign supporters on Tuesday night during an "election celebration" party at Rosemary & Vine restaurant in his hometown of Rye. The Democrat upset Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Hawthorne Republican.Photo Credit: Jon CraigState Sen. George Latimer thanked supporters on Tuesday night during the first of three "election celebration" parties at Rosemary & Vine restaurant in his hometown of Rye. The Democrat led Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican.Photo Credit: Jon Craig

comment

In an upset heard round New York, State Sen. George Latimer (D-Rye) has knocked off Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Astorino was running for a third term.

Latimer leads Astorino 58 percent to 42 percent, 57,578 votes to 41,273 votes, with 56 percent of the vote in according to unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections.

Astorino had touted his record of not raising the county's tax levy in the eight years he's been in office, as well as adding jobs. Latimer has criticized Astorino for mismanaging the county's finances and balancing the budget via gimmicks. Astorino said Latimer will raise taxes if elected, which Latimer has denied.

Latimer has attempted to tie Astorino to President Donald Trump, while Astorino has said Trump is not the ballot. Astorino, the 2014 GOP gubernatorial nominee, endorsed Trump in 2016 and Robert Mercer, a billionaire Trump supporter, has donated $1 million to a SuperPAC endorsing Astorino.

Latimer's personal life has also come under scrutiny. The Astorino campaign has frequently mentioned that a home owned by Latimer's wife owes more than $46,000 in back taxes to the City of Rye. Latimer said he is not involved in the matter, which is a private family dispute. It was also revealed Latimer drove an unregistered vehicle, a violation of state law.

Latimer could not drive the vehicle, due to owing thousands in unpaid parking tickets to various municipalities. Astorino has also criticized Latimer for being in London for a state budget vote, which Latimer said state leadership was aware of.

Latimer has called on Astorino to resign over allegations of dishing out favors for donations. An Astorino donor testified in court he helped Astorino get a Rolex in exchange for being named a police chaplain. Astorino has denied the allegations and said he paid for the watch himself.